Telegram-herald., 1887-07-27
MAJ. LOWELL HALL
rHs VENERABLE VETERAN IS DEAD.
A Brief sksteh Of his Life sehoolna 1sssr.
Msxch2at. ksiisos k5ekldsr saa ssh
dIsr-fhs Ind Of = Remark
ably Active Career.



HALL-At his rssiaenee. 81 FEont-st. ecrner
Of Flnh GA faeS1ay jaly -, lss1. Lowell Hal.
aged - yeaIs 3 uoLf1 aud 2 14ys-
Lowell Hal Was born ia Middlesex coun-
~. Massachusetts,. June "A. 1902. When be
was two years Old bis parents emigrated %
Vermont. and lSo years later 10 the Black
River country in Northern New York.
Here be began bis education with such linn
tied means as the country Afforded. learn
ing the elementary branches studying even
ings by the blaze Of fireplace IN log
house. In 1915 the family removed 10
Gsnesee county. New York, and fen years
later. having taken a short course in the
district school. receiving salary Of 81
per month payable ia wheat At three shii-
lings per bushel" and boarding round"
de was not satisfied with his life as
teacher, and IN 1873, took position IN a
village store owned by Hon. Henry
Hawkins. at Alexander. Genesee county,
where he remained as clerk and partner for
eleven years and by shrewd management
and ability anIassed considerable property,
which be lost in lS37-s by being bondsman
for several men who we're crushed by the
striagency of the financial affairs which
prevailed throughout the country.
Mr.. Hall then turned his attention to
railroad bailding, organizing company to
build line from Altica ID Buffalo. n chart
er tor which had been grantedin 1886. lie
succeeded IN finishing the road, which was
the last link IN the first line FROM
Albany TO Buffalo, and is now part of the
Erie system, ia seventeen months. This
established his reputation as railroad
builder, and he subsequently organized a
company and constructed line from Hor-
nellsvilie TO Atiica, which is now part of
the Erie's main line.
In 1855 Mr.. Hall came TO Michigan in the
interest of the Detroit & Milwaukee Rail-
road, aud was active in soliciting funds for
the completion of the road from Pontiac to
Grand Haven When the road was COM
pleted Mr.. Hall settled in this city, where
he has since resided.
During the War OF the Rebellion Mr.. Hall
was actively engaged in raising troops and
in the Winter preceding the collapse of the
Confederacy, at the age of 63, he accepted
an unsolicited commission and entered
active service, where he remained until
peace was declared. He was brevetted Ma
lor for meritorious services.
Soon after the war he organized and was
elected president of the Grand Rapids &
Lake Shore Railroad Company, which was
to build q line from this city 10 points on
the lake shore south of Grand Haven and
ultimately 10 Chicago. The company was
afterward consolidated or changed TO the
Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore and later
20 the Chicago u West Michigan Company.
After the completion of the c. g. w. VI.
from this city to New Buffalo Mr. Hall or
gsnized the Grand Rapids & Saginaw Rail-
road Company TO build an air line from
this city 10 East Saginaw. He was Presi-
d.r.f ~ hoo ell 4.
ances know how earnestly and enthusiastic
calty he worked for the enterprise. Ii was
his pet project during the last thirteen
years of his life. He often declared tnat he
would live TO see the cars running over the
line, and that il would undoubtedly he
the most valuable line of road in the State.
A few months ago when asked If he had
not given up the hope of seeing the road
completed he replied: We'll, almost but
If / could see that line completed neyt
Summer | would surely live 10 be CEN
tenerian. If L could ride over that road
and know that the people OF this city and
the Saginaw Valley appreciated what it
would be worth 10 them / wouldn't feel
over 90 years old"
From the above it will be seen that the
city was largely Indicted 10 Mr.. Halls en-
eTgy and enterprise for two of its most i'm
portant railroad lines. He was greatly in
terested in the city's welfare and prosperity
and was well posted on all subjects OF public
interest
Socially Mr. Hall was a favorite with all
who knew him. He enjoyed Joke and
was most entertaining stOry-teller, and for
many Summers was the principal figure in
many q group of old residents on the streets
or in the hotel Hobbies. In politics he was
a Republican, until late years. OF the most
stalwaTt stamp. He was positive. agrees
i've and and energetic in all his actions. and
while admired by his friends be was aso
respected by those who differed with him
in opinion.
The deceased was remarkably active for
one of his age, and enjoyed good health
until the 18th Of May last. when he suf-
fered a stroke of apoplexy. 1t vas thought
the attack would prove fatal at the time,
but he rallied and seemed to have nearly
recovered. Last Saturday he walked TO the
residence of his son on Turner-st., and Sun
day spent most of the day on the lawn.
Monday be was not as well as usual. and
s00vt ) O'clock yesterday morning COM
planned OF a severe pain in his side. The
paip was relieved By simple remedies, but
be kept bis bed most of the forenoon. An
old lady, a member of the household. sat
in the room with him for an hour or two
aud az abou93 . clock bis daughter, Mrs.
QUale, went 10 to ask him what be wished
for dinner, ard found him dead. he had
passesl swav ~ silently that bis companion
hafs not no1ced but that he wss sleeping.
deceased was married in IS24 10 a Miss
Collins, of Orleans County, New York, who
died from the effects of stroke of apo
plexy about three years ago. He leaves
sJn, Van Hall Of 50 Turner-st.. and a
daughter. Mr.. Quine. a widow. with whom
ne resided after the death OF his wife. also
a brother, Levi Hall, of Lowell. and two
grandchildren Eddie ana Elizabeth Hall
The latter residing in san Francisco.
The funeral will take place at ( o'clock
tomorrow afternoon under the auspices of
Valley City Lodge No. S., F. & A. NJ. of
which the deceased was an h0nored men,
ber He vas also = member OF the Old
Residents Association, and the members
viii attend the funeral in a body.